126 
Pussy Meow 
Of course having heard the story of Beau- 
tiful Joe, I know all about the Band of Mercy. 
It is a place where little boys and girls sing 
and speak lovely pieces. Here is one I heard 
Guy read to his mother from “ Dumb Ani- 
mals : ” 
Three little kittens, so downy and soft, 
Were cuddled up by the fire, 
And two little children were sleeping aloft, 
As cozy as heart could desire ; 
Dreaming of something ever so nice, 
Dolls and sugar-plums, rats and mice. 
The night wore on, and the mistress said, 
“ I’m sleepy, I must confess, 
And as kitties and babies are safe in bed, 
I’ll go to bed too, I guess.” 
She went up-stairs, just a story higher, 
While the kittens slept by the kitchen fire. 
“ What noise can that be ? ” the mistress said. 
“ Meow ! meow ! ” “ I’m afraid 
A poor kitty-cat’s fallen out of bed ! 
The nice little nest I made! ” 
“ Meow ! meow ! ” “ Dear me ! dear me ! 
I wonder what can the matter be ! ” 
The mistress paused on an upper stair, 
For, what did she see below ? 
But three little kittens, with frightened air, 
Standing up in a row ! 
With six little paws on the step above, 
And no mother cat to caress or love ! 
